Project Economic Stew: A Study of Poultry and Rice. A Third-grade Economics Project [and] A Bird's Eye View of an Economic Stew: A Study of Poultry and Rice Production in Arkansas.

Fox, Penny

An economics project for third grade children is described and lessons for teaching basic economic concepts are provided. In the first semester, students studied basic economic concepts; in the second semester, they learned about the origin, production, and distribution of rice and poultry and how these products affect the local and state economies of Arkansas. Lessons, which are described in the report, involved students in many activities, such as reading and discussing books, analyzing movies, and preparing a mini-factory. At the end of the year, the students created and produced an original play based on their economic study. Throughout the project, many outside resources were used. For example, parents, grandparents, and friends involved in the poultry industry from labor to management shared their knowledge and experience. A Filipino student from the University of Arkansas explained labor of the Philippines in comparison to the technology of the U.S. farmer. High school members of the Future Farmers of America served as mentors and made presentations to the students. Questions selected from the "Primary Test of Economic Understanding" were administered on a pre- and posttest basis. Significant advances were recorded. (RM)